Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Enhancement of photodegradation activity of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by one-pot flash combustion route: an effect of Ag doping

  • Published:
Optical and Quantum Electronics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Herein we are presenting the easy synthesis of ZnO with different Ag contents in presence of 0.5 g citric acid and studied their key physical properties. Structural study confirm the hexagonal phase of ZnO at all contents of Ag and the crystallite size calculated in range of 21 to 23 nm. No major variation in crystallite size was seen on increasing the Ag content in ZnO. Further confirmation of Ag doping with homogeneity was approved by EDX/SEM e-mapping analysis. SEM study reveals low dimensional spherical nanoparticles synthesis and slight variation in grain size was also noticed. The energy gap values were determined via Kubelka–Munk relation and noticed to vary from 3.25 to 3.28 eV in response to Ag-dopant content. The photocatalytic decolourization of methyl green (MG) dye was investigated over the prepared specimens below the black light, the obtained results showed the strong impact of Ag on the photocatalytic performance of ZnO. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO was strongly improved at small Ag content, when 1% of silver nanoparticles was incorporated into ZO lattice, 36% improving in photocatalytic activity was observed. While at high loading, the photocatalytic activity decreased sharply. The outcomes suggest that the preparation route and Ag content have strong impact of photocatalytic activities of ZnO and hance can be employed as better photocatalyst to degrade harmful dyes from water.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability statement

The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings cannot be shared at this time as the data also forms part of an ongoing study.

References

  • Abd-Rabboh, H.S., Eissa, M., Mohamed, S.K., Hamdy, M.S.: Synthesis of ZnO by thermal decomposition of different precursors: photocatalytic performance under UV and visible light illumination. Mater. Res. Express 6, 055911 (2019)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahn, M.-W., Park, K.-S., Heo, J.-H., Park, J.-G., Kim, D.-W., Choi, K.J., Lee, J.-H., Hong, S.-H.: Gas sensing properties of defect-controlled ZnO-nanowire gas sensor. Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 263103 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Aoki, T., Hatanaka, Y., Look, D.C.: ZnO diode fabricated by excimer-laser doping. Appl. Phys. Lett. 76, 3257–3258 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bagnall, D.M., Chen, Y.F., Zhu, Z., Yao, T., Koyama, S., Shen, M.Y., Goto, T.: Optically pumped lasing of ZnO at room temperature. Appl. Phys. Lett. 70, 2230–2232 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhalla, N., Ingle, N., Patel, H., Jayaprakash, A., Patri, S.V., Kaushik, A., Haranath, D.: A facile approach to fabricate and embed multifunctional nano ZnO into soap matrix and liquid cleansing products for enhanced antibacterial and photostability for health and hygiene applications. Arab. J. Chem. 15, 103862 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bo Zhong, J., Zhang Li, J., Yang He, X., Zeng, J., Lu, Y., Hu, W., Lin, K.: Improved photocatalytic performance of Pd-doped ZnO. Curr Appl Phys 12, 998–1001 (2012)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, U., Bhanjana, G., Kaur, N., Sharma, R., Kaur, G., Kaushik, A., Chaudhary, G.R.: Microwave-assisted assembly of Ag2O-ZnO composite nanocones for electrochemical detection of 4-Nitrophenol and assessment of their photocatalytic activity towards degradation of 4-Nitrophenol and Methylene blue dye. J Hazard Mater 416, 125771 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandekar, K.V., Shkir, M., Al-Shehri, B.M., AlFaify, S., Halor, R.G., Khan, A., Al-Namshah, K.S., Hamdy, M.S.: Visible light sensitive Cu doped ZnO: facile synthesis, characterization and high photocatalytic response. Mater. Charact 165, 110387 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandekar, K.V., Shkir, M., Yadav, S., Behera, P.K., AlFaify, S.: Facile synthesis of Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles by flash combustion route and their characterizations for optoelectronic applications. J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 33, 3849–3869 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chauhan, A., Verma, R., Kumari, S., Sharma, A., Shandilya, P., Li, X., Batoo, K.M., Imran, A., Kulshrestha, S., Kumar, R.: Photocatalytic dye degradation and antimicrobial activities of Pure and Ag-doped ZnO using Cannabis sativa leaf extract. Sci Rep 10, 1–16 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chitradevi, T., Lenus, A.J., Jaya, N.V.: Structure, morphology and luminescence properties of sol-gel method synthesized pure and Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Mater. Res. Express 7, 015011 (2019)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Di Mauro, A., Cantarella, M., Nicotra, G., Pellegrino, G., Gulino, A., Brundo, M.V., Privitera, V., Impellizzeri, G.: Novel synthesis of ZnO/PMMA nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications. Sci. Rep. 7, 1–12 (2017a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Mauro, A., Fragala, M.E., Privitera, V., Impellizzeri, G.: ZnO for application in photocatalysis: from thin films to nanostructures. Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 69, 44–51 (2017b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Djurišić, A., Ng, A.M.C., Chen, X.: ZnO nanostructures for optoelectronics: Material properties and device applications. Prog. Quantum Electron. 34, 191–259 (2010)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Etacheri, V., Roshan, R., Kumar, V.: Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles for efficient sunlight-driven photocatalysis. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 4, 2717–2725 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, M., Li, Y., Wu, S., Lu, P., Liu, J., Dong, F.: Sol–gel preparation and enhanced photocatalytic performance of Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Appl Surf Sci 258, 1587–1591 (2011)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gesesse, G.D., Gomis-Berenguer, A., Barthe, M.-F., Ania, C.O.: On the analysis of diffuse reflectance measurements to estimate the optical properties of amorphous porous carbons and semiconductor/carbon catalysts. J. Photochem. Photobiol, A 398, 112622 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gogoi, D., Namdeo, A., Golder, A.K., Peela, N.R.: Ag-doped TiO2 photocatalysts with effective charge transfer for highly efficient hydrogen production through water splitting. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 45, 2729–2744 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gondal, M.A., Suliman, M.A., Dastageer, M.A., Chuah, G.-K., Basheer, C., Yang, D., Suwaiyan, A.: Visible light photocatalytic degradation of herbicide (Atrazine) using surface plasmon resonance induced in mesoporous Ag-WO3/SBA-15 composite. J. Mol. Catal a: Chem 425, 208–216 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González-Garnica, M., Galdámez-Martínez, A., Malagón, F., Ramos, C.D., Santana, G., Abolhassani, R., Kumar Panda, P., Kaushik, A., Mishra, Y.K., Karthik, T.V.K., Dutt, A.: One dimensional Au-ZnO hybrid nanostructures based CO2 detection: Growth mechanism and role of the seed layer on sensing performance. Sens Actuat B: Chem 337, 129765 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu, X., Li, C., Yuan, S., Ma, M., Qiang, Y., Zhu, J.: ZnO based heterojunctions and their application in environmental photocatalysis. Nanotechnology 27, 402001 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hosseini, S.M., Sarsari, I.A., Kameli, P., Salamati, H.: Effect of Ag doping on structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanoparticles. J. Alloy. Compd. 640, 408–415 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, S., Wen, Z., Zhu, X., Gu, Z.: Preparation and electrochemical performance of Ag doped Li4Ti5O12. Electrochem. Commun. 6, 1093–1097 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaramillo, T.F., Baeck, S.H., Kleiman-Shwarsctein, A., McFarland, E.W.: Combinatorial electrochemical synthesis and screening of mesoporous ZnO for photocatalysis. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 25, 297–301 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jongnavakit, P., Amornpitoksuk, P., Suwanboon, S., Ndiege, N.: Preparation and photocatalytic activity of Cu-doped ZnO thin films prepared by the sol–gel method. Appl. Surf. Sci. 258, 8192–8198 (2012)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, W., Jimeng, X., Xitao, W.: The effects of ZnO morphology on photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO/RGO nanocomposites. Appl. Surf. Sci. 360, 270–275 (2016)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Karunakaran, C., Rajeswari, V., Gomathisankar, P.: Combustion synthesis of ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO and their bactericidal and photocatalytic activities. Superlattices Microstruct. 50, 234–241 (2011)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Klingshirn, C.: ZnO: From basics towards applications. Phys Stat Sol (b) 244, 3027–3073 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong, Y., Yu, D., Zhang, B., Fang, W., Feng, S.: Ultraviolet-emitting ZnO nanowires synthesized by a physical vapor deposition approach. Appl. Phys. Lett. 78, 407–409 (2001)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, R., Rana, D., Umar, A., Sharma, P., Chauhan, S., Chauhan, M.S.: Ag-doped ZnO nanoellipsoids: Potential scaffold for photocatalytic and sensing applications. Talanta 137, 204–213 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, W.-H., Chiu, Y.-H., Shao, P.-W., Hsu, Y.-J.: Metal-particle-decorated ZnO nanocrystals: photocatalysis and charge dynamics. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 8, 32754–32763 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Look, D.C.: Recent advances in ZnO materials and devices. Mater. Sci. Eng., B 80, 383–387 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mangala Nagasundari, S., Muthu, K., Kaviyarasu, K., Farraj, D.A.A., Alkufeidy, R.M.: Current trends of Silver doped Zinc oxide nanowires photocatalytic degradation for energy and environmental application. Surf Interfaces 23, 100931 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Md Saad, S.K., Ali Umar, A., Ali Umar, M.I., Tomitori, M., Abd Rahman, M.Y., Mat Salleh, M., Oyama, M.: Two-Dimensional, Hierarchical Ag-Doped TiO2 Nanocatalysts: effect of the metal oxidation State on the Photocatalytic properties. ACS Omega 3, 2579–2587 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ortiz-Casas, B., Galdámez-Martínez, A., Gutiérrez-Flores, J., Baca Ibañez, A., Kumar Panda, P., Santana, G., de la Vega, H.A., Suar, M., Gutiérrez Rodelo, C., Kaushik, A., Kumar Mishra, Y., Dutt, A.: Bio-acceptable 0D and 1D ZnO nanostructures for cancer diagnostics and treatment. Materials Today 50, 533–569 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, X., Wang, Z., Huang, P., Chen, X., Fu, X., Dai, W.: Comparative study of two different TiO2 film sensors on response to H2 under UV light and room temperature. Sensors 16, 1249 (2016)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sabry, R.S., Rahmah, M.I., Aziz, W.J.: A systematic study to evaluate effects of stearic acid on superhydrophobicity and photocatalytic properties of Ag-doped ZnO nanostructures. J Mater Sci: Mater. Electron 31, 13382–13391 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakthivel, S., Neppolian, B., Shankar, M., Arabindoo, B., Palanichamy, M., Murugesan, V.: Solar photocatalytic degradation of azo dye: comparison of photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO and TiO2. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 77, 65–82 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sekhar, M.R., Laha, R., Kar, M.: Tuning optical and optoelectronic properties of gold nanoparticle and ZnO thin film hetero-structures. Nano. Express 1, 030037 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shkir, M., AlFaify, S.: Tailoring the structural, morphological, optical and dielectric properties of lead iodide through Nd3+ doping. Sci Rep 7, 16091 (2017)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Shkir, M., Hamdy, M.S., AlFaify, S.: A facile one pot flash combustion synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and their characterizations for photocatalytic applications. J. Mol. Struct. 1197, 610–616 (2019)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Shkir, M., Al-Shehri, B.M., Pachamuthu, M., Khan, A., Chandekar, K.V., AlFaify, S., Hamdy, M.S.: A remarkable improvement in photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles through Sr doping synthesized by one pot flash combustion technique for water treatments. Colloids Surf., A 587, 124340 (2020a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shkir, M., Chandekar, K.V., Alshehri, B.M., Khan, A., AlFaify, S., Hamdy, M.S.: A remarkable enhancement in photocatalytic activity of facilely synthesized Terbium@Zinc oxide nanoparticles by flash combustion route for optoelectronic applications. Applied Nanoscience 10, 1811–1823 (2020b)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Shkir, M., Chandekar, K.V., Alshahrani, T., Kumar, A., Khan, A., AlFaify, S.: An impact of La doping content on key physical properties of PbS spherical nanoparticles facilely synthesized via low temperature chemical route. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 135, 816 (2020c)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shkir, M., Khan, Z., Alshammari, A.S., Gandouzi, M., Ashraf, I., AlFaify, S.: A comprehensive experimental investigation of La@ CdS nanostructured thin films: Structural, opto-nonlinear and photodetection properties. Surf Interfaces 24, 101063 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shkir, M., Palanivel, B., Khan, A., Kumar, M., Chang, J.-H., Mani, A., AlFaify, S.: Enhanced photocatalytic activities of facile auto-combustion synthesized ZnO nanoparticles for wastewater treatment: An impact of Ni doping. Chemosphere 291, 132687 (2022)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sobana, N., Muruganadham, M., Swaminathan, M.: Nano-Ag particles doped TiO2 for efficient photodegradation of direct azo dyes. J. Mol. Catal. a: Chem. 258, 124–132 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taleatu, B.A., Arbab, E.A., Mola, G.T.: Synthesis and some surface studies of laminated ZnO/TiO2 transparent bilayer by two-step growth. Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process 44, 85–90 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Türkyılmaz, ŞŞ, Güy, N., Özacar, M.: Photocatalytic efficiencies of Ni, Mn, Fe and Ag doped ZnO nanostructures synthesized by hydrothermal method: The synergistic/antagonistic effect between ZnO and metals. J. Photochem. Photobiol., A 341, 39–50 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vallejo, W., Cantillo, A., Díaz-Uribe, C.: Methylene blue photodegradation under visible irradiation on Ag-doped ZnO thin films. Int J Photoenergy 2020, 1–11 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, R., Xin, J.H., Yang, Y., Liu, H., Xu, L., Hu, J.: The characteristics and photocatalytic activities of silver doped ZnO nanocrystallites. Appl. Surf. Sci. 227, 312–317 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Cao, J., Kong, F., Xia, H., Zhang, J., Zhu, B., Wang, S., Wu, S.: Low-temperature H2S sensors based on Ag-doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Sens. Actuators, B Chem. 131, 183–189 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Sui, Y., Cheng, J., Wang, X., Su, W.: Comparison of the high temperature thermoelectric properties for Ag-doped and Ag-added Ca3Co4O9. J. Alloy. Compd. 477, 817–821 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., Kang, Y., Liu, X., Zhang, S., Huang, W., Wang, S.: ZnO nanorod gas sensor for ethanol detection. Sens. Actuators, B Chem. 162, 237–243 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L., Zheng, G., Xian, F., Su, J.: The morphological evolution of ZnO thin films by Sn ions doping and its influence on the surface energy and photocatalytic activity. Mater Chem Phys 229, 215–225 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yayapao, O., Thongtem, T., Phuruangrat, A., Thongtem, S.: Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of Nd-doped ZnO for photocatalysis. Mater. Lett. 90, 83–86 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yousefi, H.R., Hashemi, B.: Photocatalytic properties of Ag@Ag-doped ZnO core-shell nanocomposite. J. Photochem. Photobiol., A 375, 71–76 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, W., Zhang, J., Peng, T.: New insight into the enhanced photocatalytic activity of N-, C-and S-doped ZnO photocatalysts. Appl. Catal. B 181, 220–227 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, L., Zeng, W.: Room-temperature gas sensing of ZnO-based gas sensor: A review. Sens. Actuators, A 267, 242–261 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Y.-P., Li, M., Liu, Y.-L., Ren, T.-Z., Yuan, Z.-Y.: Carbon-doped ZnO hybridized homogeneously with graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites for photocatalysis. J. Phys. Chem. C 118, 10963–10971 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zong, Y., Li, Z., Wang, X., Ma, J., Men, Y.: Synthesis and high photocatalytic activity of Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Ceram Int 40, 10375–10382 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Authors express their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University for funding this work through research groups program under grant number R.G.P 2/250/43.

Funding

The authors have not disclosed any funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Catalysis Research Group (CRG), Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia

    Khadijah S. Al-Namshah & Mohamed S. Hamdy

  2. Department of Physics, Osun State University, Osogbo, 210001, Osun State, Nigeria

    Saheed A. Adewinbi

  3. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia

    Mohd. Shkir & I. M. Ashraf

  4. Department of Chemistry, University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh, University, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India

    Mohd. Shkir

  5. Department of Physics, Aswan University, Aswan, 81511, Egypt

    I. M. Ashraf

Authors
  1. Khadijah S. Al-Namshah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Saheed A. Adewinbi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohd. Shkir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. I. M. Ashraf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mohamed S. Hamdy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamed S. Hamdy.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declared that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Al-Namshah, K.S., Adewinbi, S.A., Shkir, M. et al. Enhancement of photodegradation activity of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by one-pot flash combustion route: an effect of Ag doping. Opt Quant Electron 54, 838 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-022-04236-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-022-04236-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation